Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday declared that Pakistan was committed to jointly working with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) member states in fighting terrori
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday declared that Pakistan was committed to jointly working with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) member states in fighting terrorism, corruption and organised crimes.
He was addressing the inaugural session of the Saarc Interior Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad.
The PM said, at the national level, Pakistan has made remarkable gains against terrorism through operation Zarb-e-Azb and effective implementation of National Action Plan. These reflect the government’s determination to eliminate the scourge of terrorism for good. He pointed out that Saarc region was blessed with tremendous human and natural resources. So it can and should provide a platform to optimally harness the “regional potential for peace and prosperity of our people”.
Mr Sharif said such an approach is in sync with his government’s vision of peace for development and peaceful neighbourhood.
He said Pakistan has always been supportive of initiatives taken by Saarc to advance its ideals and objectives as enshrined in its charter.
Mr Sharif said Pakistan has also been a strong advocate of stepping up regional efforts to ensure energy security through sharing of indigenous sources.
He said Pakistan shares the perception that connectivity is critical to the progress and prosperity of the region and supports, in principle, road, air, rail and water connectivity within the region.
Nawaz Sharif said realisation of the goals and objectives envisaged in SAARC charter is a collective responsibility. Addressing the ceremony, SAARC secretary general Arjun Bahadur Thapa said there is a need to take effective measures to tackle the menace of narcotics, terrorism, cyber crimes and other transnational crimes.
He said SAARC condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He said there is a need for effective cooperation among member countries to combat this menace. The secretary general said the 7th SAARC meeting will review progress on decisions taken in previous meetings.
Meanwhile on Thursday, SAARC interior ministers called on Mr Sharif in Islamabad. Mr Thapa led the delegation. Matters relating to promotion of bilateral relations among SAARC member states came under discussion during the meeting, said an official statement.
